Philip Pondaco, 90, of Howell Twp. passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 19, 2017 at home. Philip was born in Stefoniconi, Calabria, Italy. He came to the United States in 1948 settling in Plainfield. Philip lived in Piscataway before moving to Howell in 1979. He retired in 1971 as a steel worker for Harris Structural Steel, New Market. Philip was a parishioner of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and family and was very proud of his milestone birthday this year. Philip was a dog lover and had palate for making homemade wine. His passion though was his vegetable garden, fruit trees and fig trees.
Philip was predeceased by his three brothers, Nicholas, Joseph, and Frank. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Concetta; three sons, Dominick Pondaco of Howell, Frank Pondaco and his wife, Alison Manzi of Howell and Philip Pondaco, Jr. of Howell; two grandchildren, Frankee Pondaco and Nicole Pondaco; numerous nieces and nephews; and his faithful canine companion, Bruno.
Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to gather at 9:00 AM on Thursday, March 23, 2017 for the procession to his 10:00 AM Funeral Mass at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 31 Asbury Road, Farmingdale. Entombment will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Neptune. For those who desire, memorial contributions in Philip’s name may be made to the SPCA of Monmouth County, 260 Wall Street, Eatontown, NJ 07724. For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.

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